Galway women elected to FF Ard Comhairle

Two Galway women, councillor Mary Hoade and Stephanie Murphy-Penn, were elected to the Fianna Fáil Ard Comhairle at the party’s recent Ard Fheis.

Ms Murphy-Penn from Claregalway is honorary secretary of the Galway West Comhairle Dáil Cheantair and is involved in a wide range of local community groups.

Cllr Mary Hoade is from Headford and is one of the few outgoing members of the Ard Comhairle who was re-elected. She also previously served as national vice-chair of Ógra Fianna Fáil. Both were elected to the Committee of 20 on the Fianna Fáil national executive.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Murphy-Penn said she would be “a voice for the members, and will push for continued reform within Fianna Fáil and within politics in this country”.

Cllr Mary Hoade said she is “committed to rebuilding and rejuvenating the party”. She also noted that for the first time, there were more women than men elected at the Ard Fheis.

“Four out of five of the party’s new vice presidents are female, while half of the newly elected Committee of 20 members are also female,” she said. “We are committed to radically increasing female participation in politics and the Ard Comhairle will lead the way.”